Why use it?

Are you compromising decision making by holding key data externally, where it can’t be readily shared or included in reports?

Wouldn’t you rather have custom, multi-dimensional data structures within your Sage 300 database, enabling better control and visibility, while also allowing you to view and manipulate data in Excel then write it back to Sage 300?

What is it?

Optional Tables frees you from the limitations of your standard Sage 300 (Accpac) data. Use it when you need to record extra information, such as budgets and forecasts.

It lets you create new fields (facts) in any module of Sage 300 (including third party modules developed in the SDK), and link them through to multiple Sage 300 master files (dimensions). You are creating custom data structures within your Sage 300 database, stored as Optional Tables.

You then have the power to use this information in many ways: Manage KPIs, budgets, forecasts, actual results and non-financial data at any level; Report at the level you define, with the combination of dimensions and facts you specify, using financial, non-financial and your own custom data.

Included with Optional Tables is the Orchid Spreadsheet Add-in for Microsoft Excel®. You can read standard Sage 300 data and Optional Tables data, manipulate it in Excel, and write data back into your custom Optional Tables in Sage 300. As a budgeting tool, you can develop budget models within Excel, distribute spreadsheets for the collection of budget data, and centrally update Sage 300 with your budgets at the click of a button - while keeping a full history of budget revisions and changes with descriptive notes. Users do not need access to or training in Sage 300, they can complete their budgets in Excel.

HOW IT WORKS

Data can be entered directly into Sage 300 with Optional Tables data entry screens. One screen is designed for time sensitive information such as budgets and forecasts, another screen is optimized for static master file input. Or create your own screen. Data entry can also be via the Spreadsheet Add-In.

Hint: Consider using Orchid Info-Explorer to slice and dice this additional data for user friendly, intuitive analysis and budgeting.

SPREADSHEET ADD-IN

Using Microsoft Excel and a wizard, you set up the formulae for reference data for the report specification – the data required from Sage 300. After populating your worksheet with this data users can format, manipulate and update it as required, treating it as a normal standalone worksheet.

With write-back to Sage 300, you are also able to directly update Sage 300 Optional Tables. This removes the need for manual data entry or imports, saving time and increasing accuracy.

Hint: Consider using Orchid Info-Explorer with writeback as an alternative solution for budget preparation, using cubes and write-back to the database, instead of spreadsheets.

Business Scenario Example

Used together, Optional Tables and Info-Explorer provide a very affordable yet powerful tool for budgeting and forecasting, e.g.:

Use Spreadsheet Add-in to build a detailed bottom-up budget at the level you need, e.g. Customer & Item rather than just GL level, and store it in an Optional Table.

Pull both the Optional Tables budget data and Sage 300 actual sales data into an Info-Explorer cube, and perform slice and dice analysis.

Within the cube make a top-down budget adjustment, using a spread formula to apply the change to Customer and Item budgets.

Use Info-Explorer’s write-back feature to update both the Sage 300 GL budget and the Optional Tables detailed budget fields.

Using Optional Tables as a repository for extra data allows you to do all your Sage 300 customization through VBA. You can store data the Sage 300 way without having to take the plunge into Sage 300 View development with C++.

Robert Lavery discusses how Orchid's Information Manager suite of add-on modules for Sage 300 gives you relevant information where, when and how you need it.

Budgeting & Forecasting - Demo Webinar

Anne demonstrates how Orchid's Optional Tables and Info-Explorer (with Writeback) add-on modules can be used in partnership to easily create and maintain detailed budgets and forecasts within Sage 300.

Optional Tables - Training

Anne conducts training on how to set up and use I/M Optional Tables. Add Optional Fields to any Sage 300 View.
(Nov-2018)

Optional Tables - Advanced Training (Excel Add-in)

An advanced tutorial on setting up Optional Tables for Sage 300 for G/L Budget and Budget by Customer and Item. Includes detailed training on the Excel Add-in.
(Nov-2018)

Screenshots

Click any image below for a larger view.

What do our clients think?

"We will be getting more clients on Orchid's Information Manager, it is really fantastic..."

PERCY MANGOZHO, ENVISAGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

“It's great to see Orchid 3rd party products boosting Sage 300 and providing Business Partners the opportunity to deliver brand new solutions with unbelievable ROI."